A little flick of Gonzalo Plata’s big toe helped Ecuador make a great escape. Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute and lifted Ecuador to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday and into the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

“Life is different now. We suffered a lot,” said Plata, a 25-year-old winger who scored his ninth international goal. “We suffered too much in the first two matches. We would have liked to secure qualification much earlier, but now we’re going forward more hungry, knowing we have to give it our all.”

Ecuador, who have lost only one of its last 22 games, finished third in Group E with four points and advanced past the group stage, headed to a possible matchup with Mexico on Tuesday in Mexico City. A four-time champion already assured of advancement by winning its first two games, Germany will play their round of 32 game on Monday at Foxborough, Massachusetts, most likely against Paraguay, Australia or Sweden.

Ivory Coast reach knockouts for first time

Ivory Coast rejoiced as players dropped to their knees on the pitch for a team photo, peerless in national team history, and they all pointed one finger toward the sky. One, for the West African team’s first-ever trip to the World Cup knockout round.

Players stripped off their jerseys and danced and partied in the locker room for the well-earned and overdue celebrations.

Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in its tournament opener at the same Philadelphia stadium as Thursday’s game and lost to Germany in its Group E second game. Ivory Coast will play on June 30 against either France or Norway, whichever is the runner-up in Group I.

Japan, Sweden play out draw, advance

Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead and Anthony Elanga took it away six minutes later, helping Sweden to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night that sent both teams to the knockout round of the World Cup.

Japan are advancing out of the group stage for the third consecutive World Cup and fifth time in seven tries since first reaching the round of 16 as co-hosts in 2002. The Swedes have advanced to the knockout round the past four times they have qualified for the World Cup going back to 1994 when they reached the semifinals the last time the US hosted soccer’s biggest event.

Netherlands enter eliminator round

The Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3-1 to advance to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a Group F clash. With this win, the Dutch side topped the group and avoided a tricky encounter with Brazil in the round of 32.

It was more due to poor defending by Tunisia than a brilliant performance by the Netherlands that gave the Dutch a 2-0 lead early in the game. Tunisia are leaving the tournament without a point.

Also read: Morocco become most successful African team in World Cup history